Politics on dinner menu? EC watching

The election commission will also keep an eye on dinners and parties hosted by political leaders during the election period. Addressing journalists here on Tuesday, chief electoral officer Umesh Sinha said since political dinners had also been brought under the ambit of the model code of conduct in place for elections, details of such events would be collected.

He claimed that elaborate preparations were being made to keep a tab on the violation of poll code. On Anna Hazare factor helping any party, Sinha said there was so far no instruction from the commission.

Sinha said the transfers of senior IAS and IPS officers were under consideration of the commission. He said no political road show, public meeting and rallies would be allowed without the permission of the district magistrate who will also act as the district electoral officer (DEO).

He informed that around 1200 flying squads had already been constituted to keep a tab on the violation of the code.

Pointing out that the removal of illegal hoardings from public places was under way, Sinha said district administration had been asked to abide by the instructions of the commission.

He said the poll expenditure of the candidates would be shared with the voters so that they could also keep an eye on the same.

Informing that the mapping of vulnerable areas and identification of troublemakers had already began, the CEO said that the commission was committed towards providing “voter-friendly” atmosphere for polling. He said large-scale awareness drive would also be launched to increase voting percentage. For first time voters “mock polls” would also be conducted before January 25, 2012, said Sinha adding that a call centre had been established to register complaint. The commission has also summoned a meeting of political parties on Wednesday to discuss election related issues.

Sinha said the commission had made adequate arrangement of security forces and critical polling station, which were prone to violence in the past, were being identified.